Standing Rock Protesters Celebrate Victory As Army Corp Denies Further Construction On DAPL

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Sunday that it won't grant an easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in southern North Dakota.

The decision is a victory for the several thousand camped near the construction site, who've said for months that the four-state, $3.8 billion project would threaten a water source and cultural sites.

The pipeline is largely complete except for the now-blocked segment underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir. According to a news release, Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said her decision was based on the need to "explore alternate routes" for the pipeline's crossing.

"Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do," Darcy said. "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing."

Thousands of opponents of the project have held strong in solidarity and protest at the site in North Dakota for weeks saying the pipeline will have a devastating effect on the environment, especially the drinking water used by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Militarized police have utilized rubber bullets, sound cannons and water cannons in the freezing cold to attempt to deter the protests.